Clued-in Minneapolis Star-Tribune beat writer Judd Zulgad's "gut feeling" is that the Vikings are high enough on Locker to draft him in round one. Defensive line and safety are big needs for Minnesota, but when Joe Webb is atop your current depth chart, quarterback trumps them all.

Our last mock had the Lions taking a tackle, and we don't see that changing barring a draft-day slide from one of the top-two cornerbacks. Boasting 36 3/8-inch arms and the most impressive feet of all offensive linemen available, Smith has overtaken Nate Solder and Anthony Castonzo.

Ingram's stock wasn't affected by his lackluster 4.62 forty at the Combine because all NFL scouts already know he isn't a burner. The fact that he beat out top running back sprinter Da'Rel Scottin the ten-yard split indicates that Ingram's short-area burst is elite and worthy of a top-20 selection.

Ponder is gaining steam as a first-round prospect after big Senior Bowl and Combine performances, and word out of Big Cat Country is that G.M. Gene Smith "likes him a lot." David Garrard recently turned 33, is due $25.4 million over the next three seasons, and isn't a true franchise quarterback.

Five-technique defensive ends don't go early in drafts unless it's the Chiefs reeeaching for Tyson Jackson. But Watt projects as a borderline double-digit sack guy ala Justin Smith, with the ability to also be a high-impact run defender. At this point in the draft, Watt should be atop the Pats' board.

Like Watt, Jordan is unlikely to be drafted before the teens unless a 4-3 team deems him capable of playing strong-side end. Throw out Jackson, and in the last five years the highest a true "five technique" has been selected was Jared Odrick at No. 28. San Diego is desperate for end help.

After bringing up the NFC rear in sacks, the Bucs are desperate for pass-rushing production. Kerrigan fits that role as well as anyone in the draft after generating 56 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks in his final three college seasons while tying the NCAA record for forced fumbles (14).

Kansas City needs a better right tackle than Barry Richardson if they're going to continue to lead the NFL in rushing. Sherrod comes from a college program that posted a 619:288 run-to-pass ratio last season, and is considered this year's most consistent tackle prospect in some circles.

Last week's Scouting Combine revealed more insight into NFL teams' thinking about the 2011 draft class. Some players helped and hurt their stock based on workouts, but the most important things we learned were not necessarily derived from forty times and bench press totals.

Carolina's new coaching staff doesn't seem to believe in 2010 second-rounder Jimmy Clausen, and the front office is "not sold" that any of this year's defensive linemen are worthy of the No. 1 overall pick. Newton has difference-making talent and is capable of rejuvenating the NFL's worst team.

The Bills would likely prefer Cam Newton, but they won't have a chance at him barring a trade up. While Blaine Gabbert should also be considered, the NCAA's sack and tackle-for-loss leader will be difficult to resist for a club that ranked 27th in the league in sacks last year. Ala Darnell Dockett in Arizona, Bowers would play end in the Bills' 3-4 defense and focus on rushing the passer.

Carson Palmer is serious about retirement, and brotherly backup Jordan wouldn't make most NFL rosters as a third-stringer. Without free agency on the horizon, there's no way the Bengals can afford to pass on an elite quarterback. Gabbert is this year's top-rated passer in the eyes of many.

"Two words," uses NFL Network's Mike Mayock to describe Miller. "Defies. Gravity. Bends parallel to the ground. This guy comes off the edge and it's scary how quick he gets to the quarterback." The Cards could use some of that with Joey Porter and Clark Haggans both 34 years old.

Peterson's talent probably deserves to go higher, but there hasn't been a corner drafted in the top five in eight years. The 2010 Thorpe Award winner as college football's top defensive back, Peterson's addition would allow the Niners to comfortably part with overpricedNate Clements.

Terence Newman is going on 33 and was abused in coverage last season, so it's hard to imagine the Cowboys paying his $8 million non-guaranteed salary for 2011. The secondary is Dallas' greatest weakness by a good margin, and Amukamara is by far the best defensive back available.

Owning no third- or fourth-round pick, the Redskins are prime candidates to trade out of the tenth spot with a team hungry for pass rushers. If coach Mike Shanahan is forced to stand pat, he must select an immediate starter at either quarterback, wide receiver, or in the defensive front seven.

Clued-in Minneapolis Star-Tribune beat writer Judd Zulgad's "gut feeling" is that the Vikings are high enough on Locker to draft him in round one. Defensive line and safety are big needs for Minnesota, but when Joe Webb is atop your current depth chart, quarterback trumps them all.

Our last mock had the Lions taking a tackle, and we don't see that changing barring a draft-day slide from one of the top-two cornerbacks. Boasting 36 3/8-inch arms and the most impressive feet of all offensive linemen available, Smith has overtaken Nate Solder and Anthony Castonzo.

Ingram's stock wasn't affected by his lackluster 4.62 forty at the Combine because all NFL scouts already know he isn't a burner. The fact that he beat out top running back sprinter Da'Rel Scottin the ten-yard split indicates that Ingram's short-area burst is elite and worthy of a top-20 selection.

Ponder is gaining steam as a first-round prospect after big Senior Bowl and Combine performances, and word out of Big Cat Country is that G.M. Gene Smith "likes him a lot." David Garrard recently turned 33, is due $25.4 million over the next three seasons, and isn't a true franchise quarterback.

Five-technique defensive ends don't go early in drafts unless it's the Chiefs reeeaching for Tyson Jackson. But Watt projects as a borderline double-digit sack guy ala Justin Smith, with the ability to also be a high-impact run defender. At this point in the draft, Watt should be atop the Pats' board.

Like Watt, Jordan is unlikely to be drafted before the teens unless a 4-3 team deems him capable of playing strong-side end. Throw out Jackson, and in the last five years the highest a true "five technique" has been selected was Jared Odrick at No. 28. San Diego is desperate for end help.

After bringing up the NFC rear in sacks, the Bucs are desperate for pass-rushing production. Kerrigan fits that role as well as anyone in the draft after generating 56 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks in his final three college seasons while tying the NCAA record for forced fumbles (14).

Kansas City needs a better right tackle than Barry Richardson if they're going to continue to lead the NFL in rushing. Sherrod comes from a college program that posted a 619:288 run-to-pass ratio last season, and is considered this year's most consistent tackle prospect in some circles.

Solder lacks core strength to be an instant impact run blocker, but that's less concerning for a Colts team that has ranked 30th, 31st, and 28th in rushing attempts over the past three years. Indy's pass protection is among the NFL's worst, and they need to replace both starting tackles.

Georgia's leader in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (18.5) in 2010, Houston was a consensus first-team All-SEC pick and Nagurski Award finalist behind Da'Quan Bowers. The Saints are in pursuit of disruptive front seven players after seeing their big plays on defense evaporate last season.

Drawing comparisons to Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Clay Matthews, Reed ripped up the Combine with the top ten-yard split by a pass rusher, even showing more initial burst than A.J. Green. At 6'3/263, Reed is what the doctor ordered for New England's outside linebacker woes.

The Bears believe 2010 seventh-round pick J'Marcus Webb can be a long-term fixture at tackle, but the interior remains a major problem area. After his team allowed the most sacks in the NFL last season, G.M. Jerry Angelo is probably 80 percent -- at least -- to draft a lineman at No. 29.

If the season began today, Marcus Dixon (three career appearances) and Mike Devito (0.5 sacks) would be the Jets' starting defensive ends. Wilkerson is built perfectly to play five technique with 35 1/4-inch arms at 6'4/315. He also led Temple in sacks, tackles for loss, and hurries last year.

Williams' best position might ultimately be safety, but he's ticketed for cornerback initially after posting respectable forty-yard dash times in Indianapolis. Two of the Steelers' top three corners are free agents, and starting free safety Ryan Clark is entering his age-32 season.

The talent-rich Packers will be able to draft the best player available on April 28. Heyward might be in the mid first-round conversation if not for offseason Tommy John surgery, and he also plays a position at which Green Bay is losing a key cog in free agent defensive end Cullen Jenkins.